Learning Double Unders: A Quick Guide for Beginners

ListedFit is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission.

Learning double unders is a challenging yet beneficial skill to master, particularly for those who are enthusiastic about fitness and looking to elevate their workout.

For those unfamiliar with the term, double unders involves jumping rope where the rope passes under your feet twice with each jump.

This might appear intimidating, but with the right form, technique, and practice, you’ll soon be able to perform double unders with ease.

Quick Summary

Understanding the proper form and technique is crucial to mastering double unders. As a beginner, you’ll need to start with the foundation of single unders and gradually progress to higher jumps.

Training and practice play a significant role in refining your skills and correcting common mistakes. Moreover, double unders have gained popularity in CrossFit, and using the best rope suited for this exercise can impact your overall performance.

Key Takeaways

• Mastering double unders requires practice, proper form, and technique.
  
• Training and correcting mistakes are essential for improvement.
  
• Choosing the right rope affects your double unders performance.

Why Learn Double Unders?

So, you want to learn double unders? Great choice! Double unders are a fantastic way to level up your jump rope skills and add some intensity to your workouts. In this section, we’ll explain what double unders are and how you can start practising them. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Double unders, or “dubs” as they’re sometimes called, involve jumping rope with the rope passing under your feet twice in one jump. It’s double the fun and double the challenge compared to single unders, where the rope passes under your feet just once per jump.

To start learning double unders, it’s essential to have a solid foundation in single unders. You should be comfortable with jumping rope and able to perform about 50 unbroken single unders before moving on to double unders. This will ensure you have the stamina and coordination required for the more demanding double under technique.

Now, let’s talk about the jump. When performing double unders, it’s crucial to jump correctly. Focus on jumping comfortably on the balls of your feet and pulling your knees up slightly. The jump for double unders is slightly higher than for single unders, giving the rope enough time to pass under your feet twice.

It’s also important to work on the speed of your rope. Since the rope needs to pass under your feet twice in one jump, you’ll need to increase the speed of your wrist movement compared to single unders. Keep your arms and wrists close to your body for better control and accuracy.

Remember, learning double unders takes time, and it’s okay to feel frustrated at times. Keep practising, be patient with yourself, and soon enough, you’ll be nailing those double unders like a pro! So, grab your jump rope and give it a go – you’ve got this!

---

What’s The Best Rope to Learn Double Unders?🤔

If you want to learn double unders, and the right rope is crucial to mastering this skill. Let’s have a look at what you should consider when choosing the perfect rope to support your learning journey.

First off, speed ropes are a great option for learning double unders. They’re lightweight and designed for quick rotations, which can help enormously in improving your speed and efficiency during your jump rope workouts.

Traditional jump ropes might work for beginners, but as you progress in your double under journey, you’ll find that a speed rope aids in the smoother transition to faster jumps.

CRUCIAL – Get The Right Rope Length

Getting the right rope length is crucial for learning double unders. A rope that’s too short will make it difficult to maintain smooth rotations, while a rope that’s too long might slow you down and result in frequent tripping. So, how do you figure out the right length for you?

Stand in the middle of the rope with one foot, and lift both handles upwards. Ideally, the handles should reach around your armpit level. If they’re slightly shorter or longer, it’s still acceptable, but too far off this measurement may hinder your progress.

---

Getting The Right Form and Technique

Grip and Handles

For an ideal grip, hold the rope handles with your thumbs and index fingers near the end, allowing for smooth rotation. Keep your wrists relaxed and your hands close to your body, around waist level. Avoid gripping too tightly, as this can cause tension and reduce control.

Height and Jumping

Jump just high enough to allow the rope to pass under your feet twice. Focus on maintaining good posture, with your head straight, chest up, and shoulders back. The key is to jump off the balls of your feet and avoid excessive knee bending.

Timing and Coordination

Developing timing and coordination is essential in mastering double unders. As you’re jumping, ensure the rope rotates fast enough to pass under your feet twice with each jump. You can achieve this by flicking your wrists sharply and maintaining the rhythm throughout your jumps.

Landing and Balance

Land softly on the balls of your feet and maintain a slight bend in your knees for shock absorption. This will help create a stable base, improve balance, and reduce the impact on your joints. Maintain a consistent rhythm for better control and coordination during your double unders.

Control and Efficiency

The key to control and efficiency is to keep your movements minimal and smooth. Focus on using your wrists, not your arms, to generate the rope’s speed. Maintain consistent jumps and perfect your timing to reduce energy expenditure and maximize your efficiency during the double unders. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Training and Practice

Starting with Single Unders

Before moving onto double unders, it’s important to get comfortable with single unders. Single unders involve jumping over the rope with just one rotation. Practise single unders until you can do roughly 50 unbroken reps. This will not only build your stamina but also develop a sense of rhythm that’s essential for double unders.

Progressing to Double Unders

Once you’ve mastered single unders, you can start with the double under progression. Double unders require the rope to pass under your feet twice per jump. To nail this technique, focus on the following components:

• Bounding higher off the ground
• Turning the rope faster
• Getting the timing right

Initially, you may struggle with coordination, but with practice, you’ll be able to make the transitions feel more intuitive.

Drills for Improvement

To help you improve your double unders, consider incorporating specific drills into your training routine. Some popular drills include:

• Penguin Taps: While jumping rope, gently tap your hips twice for each jump. This simulates the timing required for double unders without using the rope.
• Double Under Jump Rope Drills: Start with a slow basic jump and gradually increase the height of your bound. This will help you learn the proper bounding technique for double unders.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Stay patient and consistent in your training, and you’ll soon be nailing those double unders with ease.

Mistakes and Corrections

Common Mistakes

One common mistake you might make when learning double unders is not mastering single jumps first. It’s essential to get comfortable with single jumps before moving on to double unders. Aim to achieve 100 single jumps in a row, unbroken, before attempting double unders.

Another frequent error is using a rope that’s too long. This can throw off your timing and make it difficult to perform double unders efficiently.

Correcting Bad Habits

To correct bad habits, start by focusing on your single jumps. Consistently practise until you’re able to complete 100 single jumps in a row, unbroken. This will provide a strong foundation for executing double unders.

To address the issue of using a rope that’s too long, make sure to measure the length of your jump rope correctly. Stand on the middle of the rope and lift the handles up; they should reach just below your armpits. Adjust the rope length accordingly to ensure it’s the right size for you.

Moreover, maintaining the proper rhythm is crucial for mastering double unders. One helpful technique is practising without a rope at first. Try slapping your thighs twice for every jump to develop a sense of timing and rhythm.

Remember, to effectively learn double unders and correct any bad habits, it’s essential to be patient with yourself and practise consistently. Regularly reflecting on your progress and seeking feedback from coaches or fellow athletes can also be beneficial in identifying areas of improvement. Keep working on your skills, and you’ll eventually see progress in your double unders!

Double Unders in CrossFit

Incorporating into Workouts

Double unders are a popular movement in CrossFit workouts due to their ability to challenge your stamina and coordination.

To begin incorporating double unders into your workouts, first master your single unders. Once you’re comfortable with around 50 unbroken single unders, you can start practising double unders.

In your CrossFit programming, consider adding double unders to your workout of the day (WOD) as a warm-up exercise or as part of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. You can also use them in combination with other movements like burpees or squats to create an intense circuit workout. Some examples of workouts that include double unders are:

• AMRAP in 10 minutes:
  • 30 Double Unders
  • 15 Burpees
• 3 Rounds For Time:
  • 50 Double Unders
  • 20 Air Squats
  • 10 Push-ups

Complementing Other Movements

Double unders not only test your cardiovascular endurance, but they also work well with other movements in CrossFit workouts. When you’re skipping, you engage your calves, quads, and hamstrings, which complements lower body exercises like squats and lunges. Additionally, maintaining proper form and wrist speed during double unders can help improve your forearm and grip strength, which is beneficial for movements like pull-ups and kettlebell swings.

Pairing double unders with contrasting exercises like weightlifting or gymnastics movements can keep your workouts interesting and fun.

For instance, you could create a workout with double unders and kettlebell swings or try a workout that blends double unders with box jumps and cleans.

Incorporating double unders into your CrossFit workouts alongside other movements is a great way to enhance your overall fitness and make progress towards your fitness goals. Give these workout ideas a try, and you’ll likely see improvements in your stamina, coordination, and performance in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions